Method and tool for clamping electrical couplings



Oct. 29, 1935. F.CHRISTIANS 2,018,996

METHOD AND TOOL FOR CLAMPING ELECTRICAL COUPLINGS Filed March 24, 1934 INVENTOR FREoERlc/r CHRIS T/ANS ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 29, 1935 PATENT OFFICE v METHOD AND TOOL FOR CLAMPING ELECTRICAL COUPLINGS Frederick Christians, Los Angeles, Calif. Application March 24, 1934, Serial No. 717,195

18 Claims.

' This invention relates to a method and tool for fastening wire in tubular connectors. Heretofore, in the electrical arts, it has been a common practice to fasten wires together by inserting them in a sleeve and sweating the wires and sleeve together with solder. This sweating operation requires special tools, time and skill. It is the priinary object of this invention to provide a tubular connector in the nature of a sleeve and a device for causing the connector to snugly embrace the wires, transversely crimp the assembled connector and wires 'so' as to provide a good electrical contact and securely hold the wires against detachment and a method of applying said connector to obtain the aforementioned results.

Among other objects of this invention is the provision of a tool to initially receive an assembled connector and wires and having jaws to engage the connector, tighten the latter about the wires and crimp the assembly. Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the character described having details of construction which enable compactness of structure, simplicity of operation, strength and durability.

; These objects together with other objects and corresponding accomplishments are obtained by the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:-

' Fig. 1 is 'an elevational view partly in section; Fig.2 is a plan view; Fig. 3 is a section as seen on the plane indicated by .3-3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational View partly in sectionshow'ing the pawls in retracted position; Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a fragment showing the jaws in clamping position; Figs. 6' and 7 are views of a finishedconnector; and Fig. 8 is a section through a finished connector.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the tool comprises a body having a handle ID with a shank portion I I which projects laterally from the handle. A jaw I2 extends from the shank. The handle is threaded adjacent the shank at I3. Jaw I2 has an angular recess I4 extending transversely. Cut into jaw I2 and across the walls of recess I4 are indentations or grooves I5 forming teeth in the jaw.

The upper portion of shank II forms a rail. Straddling and riding on the rail is a slidable jaw I6. The jaw I6 is restrained against displacement by lugs I1 operating in slots on the overhanging walls of the jaw. Extending transversely across jaw I6 is an angular recess I8 having slots I9 so that the teeth formed thereon may mesh with the teeth on jaw I2. The closed or meshing position is shown in Fig. 5. It will be noted that the apexes or angular recesses I4 and I8 are offset with respect to one another for a purpose later described. An arm 20 of a toggle is pivotally secured to the jaw I6. The other arm 2I of the toggle is pivotally secured to a shoe 5. 22 slidably riding on the shank and held thereto by a lug 23 riding in a slot on the overhanging side wall. Shoe 22 is adapted to engage an abutment nut 24 mounted on the handle I0 and engaged with threads I3. The longitudinal position of nut 24 may be adjusted by turning it and thus the travel of shoe 22 limited. This will permit an initial positioning of jaw I6 with respect to jaw I2 and also the amount of final meshing of the teeth.

A ratchet wheel 25 is journalled on the shank and has a crank pin 26 to which a rod 21 is connected. Rod 21 is connected at its other end to the knuckle oi toggle 2 I, 22. Thus by moving the rod longitudinally the toggle may be buckled and I0 jaw I6 moved toward jaw I2 with a multiplied force. Rotation of ratchet wheel 25 causes a throw of crank pin 26 and longitudinal movement of rod 21. When toggle links and 2| approach straight line position, rod 21 approaches lower dead center position and the force exerted on the rod by rotation oi wheel 25 is further increasingly multiplied as the pin 26 approaches dead center. Wheel 25 is turned by a pawl. Pivotally mounted on shank II is a lever 28 which has a 0 longitudinally extending channel at the end adjacent wheel 25. Slidably mounted in the channel is a pawl 29 yieldingly held in projected position by a compression spring 30 seated against an abutment. A pin 3| extends laterally from pawl 29. A spring 32 is interposed between handle I0 and lever 28 tending to maintain the two in' open position. Rocking of the lever 28 causes the ratchet to be rotated. In order'to prevent retrograde movement of the ratchet wheel, a pawl 40 33 is mounted on the shank I I and urged against wheel 25' by a compression spring. The pawl 33 has a lateral outer end. Slidably guided in a lug on shank II is a pawl control pin 34 urged downwardly by a compression spring. The con I trol pin has two camming surfaces, one for engagement with pin 3I and the other for engage ment with the lateral end of pawl 38. Normally, control pin 34 is maintained by its compression spring in a position with the camming surfaces such as not to interfere with the normal operation of pawls 29 and 33. The control pin 34 may bepushed inwardly thereby causing the camming surfaces to engage pin 3| and lateral end of pawl 33 and thereby to move the pawls outwardly so 36 are disposed side by side in the tubular mem- I transversely extending recess to provide a seat as to free ratchet wheel 25 The tool isused in the following manner:A

tubular member formed of a rolled strip with overlapping edges at the split portion is assembled with the wires to be connected by inserting the latter therein. The jaws of the tool are moved to open position as shown in Figs.'1 and 2, and the assembled tubular member and wires placed 'in'recess M of the fixed'jaw. In order to speed the operation, control pin 34 is operated to release ratchet-wheel 25 and the toggle is actuated by pressing downwardly thereon so as to bring shoe 22 against abutment 24 and the movable jaw [6 against the tubular member. The control pin is then released and lever 280sc illated to turn the ratchet wheel. This causes 7 jaw l6 to be forced against the tubular member and the latter with the wires therein is crimped. Initially the tubular member is tightly wrapped around the wires, the overlapping edges allowing such movement and the offset angular recesses causing-wrapping.

,In Figs. 6, and 8 the final product is shown.

As illustrative of a connection, two wires 35 and her 31 and the latter has crimps'or'corru'gations securely clamping the wires in'place. Sleeves of varying diameter may be used and by adjusting nut 24 the final position'of the jaws may be changed for accommodation to-tlie wires and tubular member.

What I claim is: 1. A tool for crimping tubular wire connectors comprising a handle having a. fixed jaw with a size of the for a connectorand being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted on the shank of said'handlefor movement to and from said fixed jaw, said setting jaw having a' transversely extending recess 'for coaction with the recess in said fixed jaw and being provided with serrations at said recess to mesh with the serrations on said fixed jaw, and means on said handle for moving said setting jaw to and from said fixed jaw.

V 2. Atool for crimping tubular wire connectors comprising a handle having a fixed jaw with a transversely angularly extending recess to pro+ vide a seat for a connector and being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted on the shank of said handle for movement to and from said fixed jaw, said setting jaw'having a. transversely extending angular recess for coaction with the recess in said fixed jaw and being provided with serrations at said recess to mesh with the serrations on said fixed jaw, the apexes of said recesses being offset, and means on said handle for moving said setting jaw to and from.

said fixed jaw.

' 3. A'tool for crimping'tubular wire connectors comprising a handle having a fixed jaw with a transversely extending recess tOlJI'OVidG a seat for a connector-and being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted onthe shank of said handle for sliding movement to'and from serrations at'said recessto mesh with the serrations on said fixed. jaw, atoggle having one arm connected to said setting jaw, a shoe on the otherfarm of said toggle slidably mounted on said shank, an abutment member on said shank for said shoe, and means mounted on said handle to buckle said toggle. r r r 4. A tool for crimping tubular wire connectors comprising a. handle having a fixed jaw with a.

transversely extending recess to provide a seat for a connector and being longitudinally serrated shank, an abutment member for said 1 shoe; mounted on said shank for adjustable positioning in relation to said fixed jaw, an operating rod connected to the knuckle of said toggle, and

'meansmounted on said handle to buckle said toggle, 7

5. A tool for crimping tubular wire connectors comprising a handle having a fixed jaw with a transversely extending angular recess to provide 7 a seat for a connectorand being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a. setting jaw mounted on the shank of said handle for sliding movement to and from said fixed law, said setting jaw havingaltransversely extending angular recess for coaction with the recess in said fixed jaw and being provided" with serrations at said recess to mesh with the serrations on said fixed jawpthe apexes of the recesses being ofiset, a toggle hav-.

ing one arm connected to said setting jaw, a shoe on the other arm 01' said toggle slidably mount- 7 ed 'on said shank, an abutment member on said shank shoe, an operating rod connected to the knuckle of said toggle, and means on said handle to buckle said toggle.

6. A tool i'or' crimping tubular wire connectors comprising a handle having a fixed Jaw with a transversely extending angular recess to provide a seat for a connector and being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted on the shank of said. handle for sliding movement to and from said fixed jaw, said setting jaw having a transversely extending angular recess for coaction with the recess in said fixed jaw. and

being provided with serrations at said recess to V mesh with the serrations on said fixed'jaw, the apexes of the recesses being offset, a toggle having one arm connected to said setting Jaw, a shoe on the other arm of said toggle slidably mounted on said shank, an abutment member for said shoe mounted on said shank for adjustable positioning in relation to said fixed jaw, an operating rod connected to the knuckle of saidtog gle, and means mounted on said handle to buckle said toggle. V V Z V '7. A tool for crimping tubular wire connectors comprising a handle having a fixed jaw with a transversely extending recess to provide a seat.

for a connector and being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted on the shank of said handle for sliding movement to and from said fixed jaw, said setting jaw havinga transversely extending recess iorcoactionwith. the recess in said fixed jaw and being pro-' vided with serrations at said recess to mesh with the serrations on said fixed jaw, a toggle hav ingione arm connected to said setting jaw, a shoe on the other arm of said toggle slidably mounted 'onsaid shank, an abutment member on said shank for'said shoe, an operating rod connected to the knuckle of said toggle, a ratchet wheel journalled on said shank and having said rod eccentrically connected thereto, and a pawl lever 21 said fixed jaw and being provided with s v, ions at said recess tomeshfwith'the serrations on said fixed jaw, a toggle? having one arm connected to said setting jaw, a shoe on the 5 other said toggle simamy ountes (in said an abutment-memb er ior said sl de mount ed on said shank for -adjustable positioning in relation to saidfixed jaw, an operating rod con- 2 nectedto theknuc'kle of said toggle, aratchet wheel journalled on saidshank and having said rodeccentrically connected thereto, and a pawl lever .pivotally mounted on shank having a pawl iorengagement with the teeth of said wheel.

9, A tool for crimping tubular wire connectors comprising a handle having a fixed jaw with a transversely extending recess-to provide a seat for a connector and being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted on the shank of said handle for sliding movement to and. from said fixed jaw, said setting jaw havinga trans versely extending recessfor coaction with the recess in said fixed jaw and being provided with serrations at said recess to mesh with the serra tions on said fixed toggle having one arm connected to said setting jaw, shoe on the other arrn of said toggle slidably mounted on said shank, an abutment member on said shank for said shoe, an operating rod connected to the knuckle of said toggle, a ratchet wheel journalled on said shank and having said rod eccentrically connected thereto, a pawl handle pivotally mounted on said shank, an operating pawl mounted on said pawl handle and yieldably held in engagement with the teeth of said wheel, a holding pawl yieldably engaged with said wheel for preventing retrograde of the latter, and a control member mounted on said shank operable to withdraw said pawls from engagement with said wheel.

10. A tool for crimping tubular wire connectors comprising a handle having a fixed jaw with a transversely extending recess toprovide a seat for a connector and being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted on the shank of said handle for sliding movement to and from said fixed jaw, said setting jaw having a transversely extending recess for coaction with the recess in said fixed jaw and being provided with serrations at said recess to mesh with the serrations on said fixed jaw, atoggle having one arm connected to said setting jaw, a shoe on the other arm of said toggle slidably mounted on said shank, an abutment member for said shoe mounted on said shank for adjustable position ing in relation to said fixed jaw, an operating rod connected to the knuckle of said toggle, a ratchet wheel journalled on said shank and having said rod eccentrically connected thereto, a pawl handle pivotally mounted on said shank, an operating pawl mounted on said pawl handle and yieldably held in engagement with the teeth of said Wheel, a holding pawl yieldably engaged with said wheel for preventing retrograde movement of the latter, and a control member mounted on said shank tats-a 7 "It' withdraw said pawls from engagement withsaidwhel'j U f olfor crimping tubular wire connectors co'inpris n'g a'liandle having a fixed jaw with. a transversely extending angular reeess'to provide seat tor a connector and being-longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted on theshank of s'aidhandle for sliding'movementj to and rom said'fixed jaw, saidsetting jaw nav ing a transversely extending angular recess air coactioniwith the recess in said fixed jaw and be; ing previded with serrations at said recess to mesh with the serrations on said fixed jaw, the apexes of the" recesses being offset, a toggle having-one arm connectedto said setting jaw, a shoe on the other'arrn oi said toggle slidably mounted on said shank, an abutment on said shank for said shoe, a spent-meme connected to the knuckle of said toggle, a ratchet wheel journalled on said shank and having said rod eccentrically connected thereto, a pawl lever pivotally mounted on said shank having an operating pawl" for engagement with: the teeth of said wheel, and a holding pawl for preventing retrograde movement or" said wheel; 12. A tool for crimping tubular wire connectors comprising handle having a fixed jaw with a transversely extending angular recess to provide "a seat for a connector and being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted on the shank of said handle for slid ing movement to and from said fixed jaw sai'd setting jaw having a transversely extending anguj lar recess for coaction with the recess in said fixed jaw and being provided with serrations at said recess to mesh with the-serrations on ,said fixed jaw, the apexes of the recesses being offset, a toggle having one arm connected to said set ting jaw, a shoe on the other arm of said toggle Y slidably mounted on said shank, an abutment on said shank for said shoe, an operating rod connected to the knuckle of said toggle, a ratchet wheel journalled on said shank and having said rod eccentrically connected thereto, a pawl handle pivotally mounted on said shank, an operating pawl mounted on said pawl handle and yieldably held in engagement with the teeth of said wheel, a holding pawl yieldably engaged with said wheel for preventing retrograde movement'of the latter, and a control member mounted on said shank operable to withdraw said pawls from engagement with said Wheel. i

13. A tool for crimping tubular wire connectors comprising a handle having a fixed jaw with a transversely extending angular recess to provide a seat for a connection and being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted on the shank of said handle for sliding movement to and from said fixed jaw, said setting jawhaving a transversely extending angular recess for coaction with the recess in said fixed jaw and being provided with serrations at said recess to mesh with the serrations on said fixed jaw, the apexes of the recesses being offset, a toggle having one arm connected to said setting jaw, a shoe on the other arm of said toggle slidably mounted on said shank, a seat member for. said shoe mounted on said shank for adjustable positioning in relation to said fixed jaw, an operatingrod connected to the knuckle of said toggle, a ratchet wheel journalled on said shank and having said rod eccentiically connected thereto, and a pawl lever pivotally mounted on said shank having an operating pawl for engagement with the teeth of said wheel and a holding pawl for preventing retrograde movement of said wheel.

' for said shoe mounted on said shank for adjust- 14. A tool for crimping tubular wire connectors comprising a handle having a fixed Jaw with a transversely extending angular recess to provide a seat for a connector and being longitudinally serrated at the recess, a setting jaw mounted on the shank of said handle for sliding movement to and from said fixed jaw, said setting jaw having a transversely extending angular recess for coaction with the recess in said fixed Jaw and being provided with serrations at said recess to mesh with the serrations on said fixed jaw, and apexes of the recesses being ofiset, a toggle hav ing one arm connected to said setting jaw, a shoe on the other arm of said toggle slidably mounted on said shank, an abutment member able positioning in relation to said fixed jaw, an operating rod connected to the knuckle of said toggle, a ratchet wheel journalled on said shank and having said rod eccentrically connected thereto, a pawl handle pivotally mounted on said shank, an operating pawl mounted on said pawl handle and yieldably held in engagement with the teeth of said wheel, a holding pawl yieldably engaged with said wheel for preventing retrograde movement of the latter, and a control member mounted on said shank operable to withdraw said pawls from engagement with said wheel.

15. The process of connecting electrical conductors which comprises enclosing said conductors in a tubular member split longitudinally with the ends of the member at said split overlapping, engaging said tubular member on opposite sides at points staggered with relation to one another and exerting pressure at said points directed toward each other from opposite sides, said pressures having a peripheral component split overlapping and engaging said tubular member at points along its length whereby the tubular member will be compressed and deformed around the electrical conductors to assume oppositely directed triangular shaped sections embracing the conductor.

17. The process of connecting electrical conductors which comprises enclosing said conductors in a ductile tubular sleeve split longitudinally and the edges or which split portion overlap therealong, engaging said tubular member at opposite sides and at points staggered with relation to each other along the sleeve and therearound, thereafter compressing the tubular member thus deformed to distort the conductors and the tubular sleeve and to wrap the sleeve closely about the conductors, and to crimp the tubular sleeve and the conductors transversely.

18. The process of connecting electrical conductors which comprises enclosing said conductors in a ductile tubular member longitudinally split and having its edges overlapping along said split, thereafter applying force to said sleeve at points staggered and therearound whereby the tubular sleeve will be wrapped closely about the conductors and said sleeve and the conductors will be crimped transversely and with force supplied eccentrically oi! the sleeve.

FREDERICK CHRISTIANS. 

